The common end pathway is inflammation of the mucosal lining of the intestinal tract, causing ulceration, edema, bleeding, and fluid and electrolyte loss.

Persons with IBD have a genetic predisposition (or perhaps susceptibility) for the disease.

The triggering event for the activation of the immune response has yet to be identified.

Possible factors related to this event include a pathogenic organism (as yet unidentified), an immune response to an intraluminal antigen (eg, protein from cow milk), or an autoimmune process whereby an appropriate immune response to an intraluminal antigen and an inappropriate response to a similar antigen is present on intestinal epithelial cells (ie, alteration in barrier function).

18.
Patients with ulcerative colitis can occasionally have aphthous ulcers involving the tongue, lips , palate and pharynx Endoscopic image of ulcerative colitis showing loss of vascular pattern of the sigmoid colon, granularity and some friability of the mucosa.

Crohn's disease can be associated with reddish, tender skin nodules, and inflammation of the joints, spine, eyes, and liver.

The diagnosis of Crohn's disease is made by barium enema, barium x–ray of the small bowel, and colonoscopy.

The choice of treatment for Crohn's disease depends on the location and severity of the disease.

Treatment of Crohn's disease includes drugs for suppressing inflammation or the immune system, antibiotics, and surgery.

48.
Comparison of UC and CD ULCERATIVE COLITIS CROHN’S Age Any Any Sex m=f M=f Anatomical distribution Colon only Any part of G.I Presentation Bloody diarrhoea Variable; pain diarrhoea, Weight loss Risk factors more common in non smokers More common in smokers